The Knights of Columbus Endowment is proud to announce it has awarded $62,000 in grants to nine nonprofit organizations, all with a plan to improve living conditions in Southeast Kansas. In only its second year of awarding grants, the Knights of Columbus Endowment has awarded over $115,000 to Crawford County nonprofits.
The Pittsburg Broadway Tower Corporation, a project of the local council of the Knights of Columbus, established the Knights of Columbus Endowment at the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) in 2021 with funds from the sale of the Knights of Columbus Tower in downtown Pittsburg. The Endowment continues the Tower’s mission through an annual competitive-grant process aimed at addressing low-income and elderly residents’ housing and other needs.
“The Knights of Columbus are so pleased to be able to help those in need in our community,” said Jeff Wilbert, Knights of Columbus Tower board president. “It is exciting for us to be able to carry on the tradition of our founder, Fr. Michael J. McGivney, in providing assistance to those less fortunate.”
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2023 Knights of Columbus Endowment Grant Recipients
The following organizations and projects received funding for 2023:
- Catholic Charities will provide housing assistance, utility payments, and supportive services for families experiencing homelessness.
- CLASS LTD‘s Client Emergency Assistance Fund provides assistance to CLASS LTD clients with utility payments, rent, medical needs, and other unexpected expenses.
- DBLO Association provides beds and bedding to children in need.
- First United Methodist Church Wesley House will sponsor The Gathering Place 90-day cold-weather shelter again during the 2023/2024 winter season.
- Fostering Connections distributes VIP Kids Bags to children entering foster care, which are large drawstring bags with a two-day supply of clothing, essentials, and toys or personal items.
- Our Lady of Lourdes Parish will provide advice and financial assistance to individuals and families in the community.
- Special Olympics Kansas will host a sporting event for older athletes in Southeast Kansas.
- The Salvation Army will address the growing needs of Crawford County residents for emergency help with rent or utility bills.
- Wildcat Extension Education Foundation will provide basic kitchen supplies to families in need.
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas is pleased to be the host agency for this fund and is proud to offer this annual grant process.
Those interested in establishing a grant-making fund can contact CFSEK through our website or by telephone at 620.231.8897.
About the Community Foundation
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas is a public nonprofit foundation established in 2001 by a group of residents who shared an interest in encouraging charitable giving and a commitment to strengthening local communities. The Foundation is home to more than 220 charitable funds addressing a wide range of charitable interests.
About the Knights of Columbus & Knights of Columbus Endowment
The Knights of Columbus was founded by Father Michael J. McGivney in 1882 on the principles of charity, unity, and fraternity with the intent to bring financial aid and assistance to the sick, disabled, and needy and their families.
The Knights of Columbus Endowment Fund at CFSEK was established in pursuit of those principles through grants for programs and projects that accomplish any of the following for the elderly, handicapped, and low-income families and individuals of Pittsburg, Kansas, and the surrounding area:
- Provide assistance for housing, rent, or utilities;
- Provide health and human services to meet their educational, social, physical, spiritual, and psychological needs;
- Promote their health, security, happiness, and usefulness; or
- Improve community services for them.